Share this

The switch in attendance from beginning to end is meaningful, not mere theatrics. To go at the beginning would mean getting involved personally in, and thus taking some responsibility for, the negotiations. Since their success is highly conjectural, if not unlikely, it is much safer to go at the end. If there is a worked-out deal, Obama can bask in the spotlight; if not, he can urge further progress. Or to put the question more accurately, it's not necessarily theatrics or meaningful -- it's politically prudent.

More POLITICO Arena

About the Arena

The Arena is a cross-party, cross-discipline forum for intelligent and lively conversation about political and policy issues. Contributors have been selected by POLITICO staff and editors. David Mark, Arena's moderator, is a Senior Editor at POLITICO. Each morning, POLITICO sends a question based on that day's news to all contributors.